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Style & Beauty

Bra Intervention

84 replies

ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 15/02/2014 16:02

Last year I was lucky enough to have help on the Bra Intervention threads and bought 4 lovely new bras. Unfortunately I now need help again. Since then I have lost at least a stone and my bras do not feel comfortable at the moment. This isn't helped by muscle pain I am having but I would like to check what size you clever people think I should be wearing.

I have measured. Underneath I am 30 1/2 and leaning forward and across the breasts I am a 39.

TIA Cake.

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happy2bhomely · 15/02/2014 16:10

Same measurements as me! I'm wearing a Freya in a 30G. I was wearing a 34C before bravissimo sorted me out.

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SorrelForbes · 15/02/2014 16:15

Yep, try a 30G (maybe even a bigger cup in some styles/brands).

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 15/02/2014 16:24

Thank you.

Currently wearing a 32GG. I was wearing the same size bra in a different brand yesterday and it feels too small. Is it possible when a bra is too big that it can actually feel too tightConfused? I am suffering with back pain at the moment and think part of it could be lack of support with my bras.

I honestly don't think it would be able to get into a 30 but will give it a go. Probably not until the kids are back at school now and at least that will give my back and muscle pains chance to go.

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SorrelForbes · 15/02/2014 16:31

As you're between band sizes you may find a 32 better in some brands (e.g. Debenhams Gorgeous, M&S, La Senza).

A 32GG is the same cup volume as a 30H. Therefore I doubt that a 30G is going to work! Can you put your current bra on back to front and see how far you can pull it away from your body? If you then put it on the right way round and scoop (with vigour!), do you have any overspill or bulging? Is the band riding up your back or the straps sliping off your shoulders?

Which bra are you currently wearing?

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 15/02/2014 17:52

A Fantasia 32GG.

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SorrelForbes · 15/02/2014 18:01

Fantasie (and Freya, Elomi) are more generous than the Panache family of bras (Panache, Cleo, Masquerade).

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 16/02/2014 11:16

I can only see the sized on 3 of my bras and even though they are two different brands they are all 32GG.

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StatisticallyChallenged · 17/02/2014 01:12

Strangely a bra which is too big can actually dig in and feel tight. On me, this is because when the band is a bit big it doesn't stay horizontal - the back slides up which means the front slides down (like a boob see saw!) and the wires wind up digging in at the front so it feels "tight"

Try the band back to front as Sorrel suggested - it's the easiest way to work it out.

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 17/02/2014 13:09

I know, that is why I feel I need new ones. I have lost weight and they are starting to feel tight and giving me discomfort. The band is riding up a bit.

Currently in 32GG so which should I try please?

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StatisticallyChallenged · 17/02/2014 13:16

can you measure yourself as described here

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 17/02/2014 16:07

I already have and got 30.5 and 39.

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StatisticallyChallenged · 17/02/2014 16:26

On those measurements I'd normally suggest starting at a 30G. I'd be surprised if you still need a 32 unless you are very "solid" - i.e. little to no fat or flesh over your ribs.

A 30G would be two cup sizes smaller than your current bras. If you put them on (stick them on the tightest setting for this purpose since we already think they're too big) and scoop, how are the cups? Do you have extra space?

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StatisticallyChallenged · 17/02/2014 16:31

Sorry I just realised you'd put the measurements in the first post - doh!

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 17/02/2014 20:09

Just had a look at what I was wearing. Cups look baggy, fastened on loosest hook. Feels too tight at times around the band.

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StatisticallyChallenged · 17/02/2014 20:24

I genuinely don't think the band can actually be tight - but it could feel it if that makes sense. Also, old bras (assuming if you can't see the size that they've been washed quite a bit) can start to misbehave too.

If the cups look baggy then you probably need at least one if not two cups smaller. Combined with the 30 back that would suggest trying a 30G and 30GG.

What sort of shape are your breasts? Are they close set or wide set (the gap between them), is each breast narrow or wide rooted (or they planted on the front of your body, or quite a bit of breast tissue under the armpit), do you have more tissue on the top or the bottom?

I quite like the unpadded Cleo bras like the Marcie, Melissa etc. They seem to be a shape that suits a lot of people

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 17/02/2014 21:17

I would say they are round, an inch between, none under armpit, no droop and equal tissue spread. I just can't wait to get them off and I wonder if they feel less right since I have been machine washing them? I hand washed them at first but then got fed up with it.

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StatisticallyChallenged · 17/02/2014 21:32

It's possibly just age too-if you only have four they'll maybe only last a year if that especially with machine wash -I'm guilty of it too although I put them in a net bag with no softener which helps

sounds like you have quite a balanced but narrowish breast-this might have changed since the weight loss but fantasie have quite wide wires which might not be helping. Try the panache brands and see if they help at all. Some of the bravissimo own brand bras are excellent too.

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CharleyFarnsbarns · 18/02/2014 00:29

Just stumbled on all the bra intervention stuff. I'm currently wearing a 38DD but just done measurements of 37 & 45. Does that make me a 36G or a 38FF?

This is blowing my mind! I'm really excited to go and try some new bras now. Any recommendations of good shops? Are they weird sizes I'll struggle to find?

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StatisticallyChallenged · 18/02/2014 09:15

Try 36 ff and g to start with. Most people get on best with the rounded down band size. You might sometimes want to try a 34 too in bigger cups

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FriedSprout · 18/02/2014 11:46

Is anyone out there able to give me quick guidance for offspring about to visit M&S?

She is 27.5 under and 34.5 above

Thanks hopefully

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StatisticallyChallenged · 18/02/2014 11:48

28e or f although m and s sizing is unreliable so she might need bigger back or cup. Do not let them do a fitting

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ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 18/02/2014 12:03

The bras are about 6 months maximum old, I have about 6 so they are alternated. They are washed in a specific bra bag and I don't use fabric conditioner. I can't shop until next week so will reassess all my bras.

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FriedSprout · 18/02/2014 12:04

I shan't let them anywhere near her Grin
Thank you

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sinningsaint · 18/02/2014 12:35

Came across bra intervention last night, going to m&s later to try some new bras (not going to buy just want to see how close i am as i can't believe my cup could be so big when i am currently an A). I am 34 and 40 so should i be trying a 34E or F??

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StatisticallyChallenged · 18/02/2014 12:38

Try 34e but do bare in mind that marks sizing isn't entirely reliable. Remember to scooooopppp

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